WSCC Update

WSCC Support Position for Referendum 101

On June 15, a letter was issued to pastors stating that the Washington State Catholic Conference (WSCC) did not have a position on Referendum 101, which would overturn Senate Bill 5599 (SB 5599). During the legislative session, the WSCC opposed SB 5599. We are updating our position on Referendum 101 to “support.”  The WSCC supports this referendum to reject SB 5599.

At the discretion of pastors, signatures for this referendum may be collected at parishes. Parishioners must obtain approval from pastors prior to collecting signatures on church grounds. Signatures are due to the Secretary of State on July 15.  

Explanation of SB 5599: Previously, licensed overnight shelters or licensed organizations providing services to homeless or runaway youth were required to contact a child’s parents if it was known that the child was away from home without permission. With the passing of SB 5599 earlier this year, parents do not need to be notified if a child is seeking “protected health care services.” Namely, if a youth is seeking an abortion or "gender-affirming care," parents or legal guardians do not need to be notified. The WSCC opposed this bill during the legislative session.

We thank the faithful who have contacted us and indicated their willingness to take action to support Referendum 101. We appreciate your advocacy for the common good.  

Should you have questions, please contact us at wscc@WACatholics.org.

From the USCCB

Action Alerts

You are invited to be a Catholic voice and contact Senator Patty Murray, Senator Maria Cantwell, and your US representative on various policy issues related to Catholic Social Teaching.  US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Action Alerts inform you of timely legislation.  They also enable you to send letters to legislators with a few quick clicks.  Current USCCB Action Alert topics include economic justice, restorative justice, protecting children, and abortion.  Action Alerts rotate as legislation progresses.  Receive USCCB Action Alerts directly by signing up here.

US Supreme Court Decisions Support Religious Liberty

Last month, the USCCB released two statements supporting US Supreme Court decisions on religious liberty.  Click to read about 303 Creative v. Elenis and Groff v. DeJoy.

USCCB President and Chairmen Rebuke Distortion of Church Teaching in Abortion Statement by Members of Congress

On the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, 31 Catholic members of Congress issued a letter that concluded, “The fundamental tenets of our Catholic faith — social justice, conscience, and religious freedom — compel us to defend a woman’s right to access abortion.”  In response, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a corrective statement, noting, “Members of Congress who recently invoked teachings of the Catholic faith itself as justifying abortion or supporting a supposed right to abortion grievously distort the faith.”  View the bishops’ full statement here. 

USCCB Urges Congress to Care for the Environment

In a recent letter, Archbishop Borys Gudziak, chair of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, invoked Laudato Si’ and urged Congress to properly fund the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Interior (DOI), two federal agencies charged with caring for the environment.  Archbishop Gudziak noted that these agencies are instrumental in conserving and caring for our nation’s most precious natural resources, promoting public health, and securing environmental justice.  Specifically, Archbishop Gudziak recommended:

In FY 2024, federal appropriations for the EPA must take special care to promote environmental justice, upgrade water infrastructure and replace lead pipes, as well as maintain cleanup standards for harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). DOI appropriations must continue to invest in tribal programs, reclamation of abandoned mines and wells, mitigation of wildfires, climate adaptation, resilience, and development of clean energy in public lands.

The full letter may be read here.

Recap of US Bishops’ Spring Plenary

On June 14-16 the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) gathered for their Spring Plenary Assembly.  Some of the topics on the agenda included the National Eucharistic Congress in 2024, the Synod on Synodality, priest formation, strengthening Hispanic/Latino ministry, and revising a section of the Ethical and Religious Directives. Click here for a full recap of the assembly. 

Upcoming Events

World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation

The World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation is September 1.  Click here to read Pope Francis’ message commemorating the day. Related to the care for creation, you can access Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home here, along with resources.  Additionally, sponsored by the Vatican, the Laudato Si' Platform is one recommended resource for taking action to care for creation.  Care for God's creation is one of the WSCC's legislative priorities.

Catholic Immigration Summit: September 30 at Seattle University 

Mark your calendars for the 7th annual Catholic Immigration Summit, Partners on the Journey: Sharing Stories and Discerning Next Steps, at Seattle University on September 30, 9 am to 2 pm. Occuring just after National Migration Week (September 18-24), this year’s summit will include Mass with Bishop Elizondo, the sharing of stories from impacted communities, lunchtime table discussions, and discerning actionable next steps. Registration will open in August.  The summit is organized by the Archdiocese of Seattle Immigrant and Refugee Ministry, Catholic Community Services and Catholic Immigration Legal Services, Intercommunity Peace and Justice Center, Seattle University’s Institute for Catholic Thought and Culture, and the WSCC.

National Migration Week and World Day of Migrants and Refugees

National Migration Week begins on September 18 and runs through September 24, the World Day for Migrants and Refugees.  Too often, migration is forced, particularly in cases where individuals are fleeing war or conflict.  Consequently, this year’s theme for National Migration Week shines a light on the ideal, where all are “Free to choose whether to migrate or to stay.” Pope Francis speaks to this theme in his 2023 World Day for Migrants and Refugees address, which marks the 109th celebration of this date. Visit the USCCB’s Justice for Immigrants (JFI) website to access a toolkit for learning, reflecting, and acting on National Migration Week. You are also invited to register for a July 26 JFI webinar titled “Why Migrate?  The Underlying Economic Pushes and Pulls that Drive Migration.”  Supporting immigrants and refugees is a legislative priority of the WSCC bishops.

Important Dates 

WSCC Staff

We invite you to contact us at any time.

Mario Villanueva, Executive Director
mario.villanueva@wacatholics.org

Adrienne Corpuz Joyce, Director of Policy & Communications      
adrienne.joyce@wacatholics.org

Tracey Wilson Yackley, Operations Manager 
tracey.yackley@wacatholics.org

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